Royston Rural Watch July 2025

sandraheytmajer
Jul 31
5 min read

PC 396 Tom Wollard & PCSO 6048 Hannah Moss PCSO 6522 Chris Brabrook

On the Beat

This week, the Rural Operational Support Team (ROST) and Royston Rural Neighbourhood Team have been conducting Operation Galileo (illegal hare coursing) patrols in North Herts.

Hare coursing is an illegal activity where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares. It is a serious problem in some rural areas. Not only does it involve cruelty to wild animals, it is also associated with a range of other criminal activities, including theft, criminal damage, violence and intimidation.

If you think you are witnessing hare coursing in progress call📱999 immediately. Anyone other information should be reported via the non-emergency number📱101 or through Herts Police Webchat service.

Appeal for Information following a Serious Collision in Royston

Officers investigating a serious collision in Royston are appealing for witnesses and information to assist with enquiries.

At around 4.55pm today (Friday 18 July), a black Nissan Juke, a black Skoda Fabia collided on Baldock Road (A505).

Officers attended the collision along with colleagues from the East of England Ambulance Service.

One man, aged in his 80s who was the sole occupant in the Skoda Fabia sustained serious injuries and is in a critical condition in hospital. A woman who was the sole occupant in the black Nissan Juke has sustained minor injuries.

Sergeant Tim Davies from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit, said: “As part of our investigations, I am appealing to anyone who either witnessed the collision or was driving in the area at the time of the incident to please contact police.

If you have any information or dash cam footage, please also report this, as it may help with ongoing lines of enquiry.

You can also report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting Op Camera.

If you have dash cam footage in relation to the collision, please upload this at: herts.police.uk/dashcamupload

Secure your home while you are away

As many residents are likely to be heading off on summer holidays or for days out in the coming weeks, Hertfordshire Constabulary is reminding people to make sure their homes are secure when they are left unoccupied.

Summer can be a hectic time of year and home security tends to be far down people’s list of priorities. However, if you are planning to leave your home empty, even for short periods of time, giving your home a lived-in look by using timers on lights is a great way to deter burglars. Investing in doorbell and external Wi-Fi cameras is also a relatively cheap way to keep your home and valuables safe.

Sharing your holiday plans on social media can also tip off burglars that your home is going to be empty, so make sure your security settings only let family and friends see your posts.

Keeping your home cool during the hot weather is another opportunity criminals look out for, as many people forget doors and windows are left open when they leave the house. Burglars will also be on the lookout for outbuildings and garages that are left unlocked.

Detective Chief Inspector Luke Whinnett, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Local Policing Command, said: “Burglaries are slightly higher than they were this time last year, and we often see an increase once the summer holidays start, as homes are left empty for days or weeks at a time. During August 2024 burglaries rose by 15 per cent, compared to the period before school holidays in June.

“If your home is left unoccupied burglars will look for tell-tale signs, like unopened letters at the front door, bins not put away or drawn curtains during the day. Making it appear that your home is occupied can be the most effective deterrent against burglary.”

There are many ways to give your home a ‘lived-in’ look when it’s unoccupied, so that any would-be criminals aren’t tempted:

Close and lock all windows, doors and outbuildings.

Use timers on lights so that they turn on as it gets dark in the evenings. You could also use a timer switch for a radio (always follow manufacturer's instructions).

Installing a doorbell camera and internal/external Wi-Fi cameras, is a low-cost deterrent which will allow you to keep an eye on your home whilst you are away.

Ask your neighbour to put your rubbish or recycling bins back if they’re being collected whilst you’re away – if they’re left out after collection day it could indicate to a passing thief that your house is unoccupied. Be a good neighbour and do the same for them.

If you aren’t leaving your car at home, ask a neighbour/friend to park their car on your drive.

Don’t forget to cancel deliveries of milk, newspapers etc.

Consider moving enticing items, such as laptops and mobile devices, so that they are out of sight, or store them in the loft when you go away.

If you are away for a longer period of time in the summer months, ask your neighbour to cut your grass. This helps to show that the house may be occupied.

You could also ask someone you trust to help give your home a lived-in look by opening and drawing the curtains, taking in any free newspapers and moving your mail away from the letterbox.

Join our new community messaging platform Herts Connected at where you will receive free local police messages. You can also choose to receive messages from Neighbourhood Watch, Action Fraud and the Police and Crime Commissioner if that’s what you select when you sign up.

You can find further advice on securing your home on our crime prevention pages.

You can report information about a crime online at herts.police.uk/report or speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat, which can be launched here: herts.police.uk/contact. You can also call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Local Crime

Ashwell, Hinxworth, Bygrave, Newnham and Caldecote

Arson, Partridge Hill, Ashwell – On 11^th June between 1800 to 1906 a 06-plate Black Vauxhall Corsa was seen driving away from a derelict home in Partridge Hill, Ashwell. On further inspection by a member of public they found a fire at the side of the address, unknown if this is linked. 41/53503/25 refers.

Theft, North Road, Baldock – Overnight on the 9^th June two lamps were stolen from a gate on North Road, Baldock. 41/53762/25 Refers

Criminal Damage, Station Road, Ashwell – At 2.30am four males were seen around a vehicle parked on Station Road, Ashwell. The males smashed a side window but were disturbed by a local resident. The males ran away from the car and made off. 41/57189/25 Refers

Barley, Barkway, Reed, Therfield, Kelshall and

Nuthampstead

Theft, Rooks Nest Lane, Therfield – Between 1^st March and 5^th June a fuel bowser was targeted on site. The offender has removed a large quantity of diesel and made off direction unknown. 41/51667/25 Refers

Theft, Periwinkle Close, Barkway – Overnight on 23^rd June front and rear number plates were stolen from a vehicle parked in Periwinkle Close, Barley. 41/57828/25 Refers

Theft of Motor Vehicle, High Street, Barkway – Overnight on 23^rd June a Gun Metal Grey, Range Rover was stolen from the High Street. The offender gained entry by unknown means and the removed a crook lock from the steering wheel, the offenders started the engine and made off with the car. 41/57835/25 Refers